Circular loom.



PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

No. 795,223v

A. DE LASKI.

CIRCULAR LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED mm: s, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTBD JULY 18, 1905.

A. DB LASKI.

CIRCULAR LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

A. DE LASKI. CIRCULAR LOOM.

Arruomlon FILED mm: a, 1902.

9 SHEETS8HEBT 3.

PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

A. DE LASKI. CIRCULAR LQOM. APPLICATION FILED mm: a, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET L PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

A. DE LASKI.

CIRCULAR LOOM.

APPLIOATIOR rmzn mm a, 1902.

9 BHBETB-BHEET 6.

AND! I cum/o4 no. momlmuocmmru immnn c No. 795,228. PATENTED JULY 18, 1905. A. DE LASKI. CIRCULAR LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. 1902.

9 BKEETB-SHEET 7,

No. 795,228. PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

A. DE LASKI.

CIRCULAR LOOM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

ANDREW a minim m nmomnocanrwm \nmmuuc.

No. 795,228. PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

A. DE LASKI. CIRCULAR LOOM.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 3, 1902.

9 SHBETSBHEEI 8.

Patented July 18, 1905.

PATENT @FFTCE.

ALBERT DE LASKI, HOB OKEN, NEWV JERSEY.

CIRCULAR LOOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 795,228, dated. July 18, 1905.

Application filed June 3, 1902. Serial No. 110,066.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT DE LASKI, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circular Looms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circular looms, and more particularly to looms for weaving a tubular fabric either directly onto a solid or tubular wire, rod. or pipe or independently of such solid or tubular article, as may be desired.

In some of its fundamental features the loom is quite similar in operation to the looms and parts of looms disclosed in my Letters Patent of 1887 and 1893. (See, for example, Patent No. 375,135, December 20. 1887; Patent No. 502,231, of July 25, 1893, and Patent No. 503,544, ofAugust15, 1893,) My present invention, however, relates to improvements in the general structure of the loom as well as to its various coacting parts, with the object in view of materially simplifying the structure and operation of the several parts, by which they will be caused to operate with greater precision and with less liability to become ineflicient by wear and tear, and at the same time increasing the rate of output of the machine and rendering it capable of use for producing not only straight tubular-woven fabrics, but also tubular-woven fabrics having any required degree of curvature.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the loom in perspective. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section. Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the frame, showing the take-off mechanism in its position as in use. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section in the plane of the lineAA of Fig. 2 looking toward the base, showing one of the two shuttles in full lines and the other in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is apartial horizontal section in the same plane and on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a partial horizontal section in the plane of the line B B of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a partial vertical central section on the line C O of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a vertical section in detail, taken transversely across the take-off-roller shafts and through their bearing-boxes at the heads of the take-off rollers. Fig. 9 is a vertical section in detail, taken on. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section in the plane of the line D D of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a top plan view in detail, showing the means for adjusting the effect of the tension device on the bobbin. Fig. 14 is a view of the same in elevation, showing its relation to the spool. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 with the adjacent parts removed to show the brake-shoe and its spindle more clearly. Fig. 16 is a plan view in detail of a modified form of take-off mechanism. Fig. 17 is a central vertical sec tion of the same. -Fig. 18 is a plan view of still another form of take-off mechanism. Fig. 19 is a vertical central section of the same, and Figs. 20, 21, and 22 represent in detail three forms of spreaders carried by the shuttle for varying the character of the woven fabric.

For the purpose of locating the several operating parts as low down as is consistent with making them accessible to the operator in order that the trembling motion may to a great extent be avoided I provide a flat substantial base 1, which may be screwed or bolted firmly to the floor or supporting-timbers through perforated ears 2. On the base 1 I locate a group of pillars 3in the present instance, six pillars located at the vertices of a regular hexagon. This group of pillars 3 supports a skeleton plate or table 4, (see Fig. 2,) the periphery of which preferably corresponds to the periphery of a regular twelvesided polygon, every alternate vertex of which rests directly above one of the pillars 3, and each of the other vertices occupy positions intermediate of two of the pillars. From the table 4, and preferably from each of its vertices, posts or pillars 5 uprise, the posts or pillars 5 being preferably smaller than the posts 3, and these posts or pillars 5 support an annular cap-plate 6, the outer edge of which is preferably extended beyond the posts 5 and forms a cover for the heddleoperating rods, to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. The posts 3 further form a support for an annular table 7, located intermediate of the base and the top of the pillars, preferably as near the base as may be feasible to admit the driving mechanism, and the posts or pillars 5 further support an annular table 8, the latter resting on shoulders 9, formed on the posts or pillars 5 by reducing the upper portions of the posts or pillars.

The base 1 is provided at the center of the group of pillars 3 with a hollow boss 10, in which there is set a vertical tubular standard 11, locked in position in the present instance by a set-screw 12, the stem of which is projected through to the exterior of the base 1 for the purpose of manipulating it. The tubular standard 1.1 extends upwardly, through the annular table or plate 7, into the hub of the plate 1. This tubular standard 11 is open at both ends for the purpose of passing a core to be covered with a woven fabric upwardly through the base 1 from a room below the one where the machine stands in the event the base 1 is fixed to thefioor of a room. The said tubular standard 11 is further provided with an opening 13 in its side wall (see Fig. 1) for the purpose of passing a core to be covered into the tubular standard from a point above the base 1 in the event it is found more convenient so to do. The standard 11 forms a support for a sleeve 1 1, mounted to rotate freely thereon and having fixed to rotate therewith a beveled drive gear-wheel 15, a cam-wheel 16 for operating the heddles, and a gear-wheel 17 for operating the shuttles.

The drive-shaft is denoted by 18. It is mounted at its inner end in a bearing 19 on a short pedestal 20, uprising from the base 1, and near its outer end it is mounted ina bearing 21 in a hollow pedestal 22, uprising from a laterally-projecting portion 23 of the base, the same pedestal 22 also serving the purpose of supporting a short shaft 2 1 for transmitting motion from the drive-shaft18 to the feed, as will be hereinafter more particularly described. The shaft 18 carries on its outer end a group of drive-pulleys (denoted by 25 26 27) having varying diameters for the purpose of increasing or diminishing the rate at which the loom is to be driven. by shifting the drivebelt 28 onto one or another of the said pulleys. The drive-belt 28 leads to a suitable source of power. (Not shown.) On its inner end the shaft 18 is provided with a bevel gearpinion 29 in position to intermesh with the drive gear-wheel 15 on the sleeve 14 for the purpose of imparting motion to the cam-wheel 16 and the gear-wheel 17 to operate the heddles and shuttles.

The weaving takes place either around the article to be covered or around a core used in place of the article to be covered at a point above the top of the standard 11, and I have chosen to illustrate my invention (see Fig. 2) with that form of core which is employed in making curved tubular-woven fabrics such, for example, as would be suitable to cover the tires of vehicles. I have, however, provided for interchanging this form of core for any other desired form or size Within the capacity of the machine by making the core-support removable. In the present instance a flanged thimble 3O rests in and on the top of the hub 31 of the plate 4 and supports a core-holder 32, the latter being provided with elongated slots 33 in its flanges for the reception of screws 3st, which while serving to lock the coreholder 32 to the thimble 30 permit of its adjustment transverse to the axis of the thimble 30, thereby increasing the space between the core and thimble on one side of the core and correspondingly decreasing the space on the opposite side, so as to cause the weaving to be more compact on one side of the core than it is on the opposite side in order to give the tubular fabric the natural curve required. The core itself consists of a pin the head of which is cylindrical, but which gradually flattens and broadens into the tapered, Hat, and slight-curved extension 36, leading from the head. 35 of the core into proximity to the takeoff rollers which draw the fabric in flattened form from the core.

I prefer to use in connection with the core 35 a hollow ring or die 37, which may be supported by a yoke 38, (see Fig. 3,) resting on the plate or table 8 and wholly independent of the support for the core-piece proper. I may, however, do without the die 37, although it has its advantages in confining the fabric and preventing the tendency of the weaving-plane to creep upwardly along the gradually-[lattening core-piece.

The shuttles, in the present instance two shuttles, travel in circular paths along a raceway formed as follows: On the plate or table 1 there is a track 39, and under the table or plate 8 there is a track 10, the tracks 39 and 40 being preferably in the same vertical plane with their faces opposed to each other. Adjacent to the track 39 there is fixed to the plate or table 4 an annular shuttle-guide 11, terminating in a series of upwardly-extending fingers 12, and from the table 8 there depends a similar annular shuttle guide 13. The points of the fingers on the guides a1 and &3 are spaced apart sufliciently to permit the body of the shuttle-frame to pass between them. The shuttles are just alike, so that the explanation of one will suiiice for both.

The main or body frame of the shuttle is denoted by 1 1 and is provided on its exterior with a rack-bar 15, the curve of which is concentric with the shuttle-raceway. At intervals along the shuttle-raceway, in the present instance at a quadrants distance apart, the

pinions for driving the shuttles are located. These pinions are denoted by 46 and are fixed to rotate with vertical shafts 17, supported in the tables or plates at and 8 and carrying at their lower end pinions 48 in gear with the drive-wheel 17, lixed to rotate with the sleeve 11. The pinions 46 on the shaft d7 are protected from any possible contact with the yarn, cord, or thread leading from the heddles to the point of weaving by means of guardplates 19, projecting on opposite sides of the pinions from supports 50, fixed at their opposite ends to the tables 4: and 8. The shuttle supporting frame 14: is provided with guard-rails 51 52, supported on standards 53 5%, extending in opposite directions from the outer part of the shuttle-frame, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and T, the said standards 53 and 5% having preferably a slight outward inclination and with rails 55 56, supported on standards 57 58, extending in opposite directions from the inner part of the body of the shuttle-frame and having an inward inclination. The shuttle is further provided (see Fig. 5) with a follower or laying-in device 59 and with a spreader 60, the laying-in device and spreader being preferably formed integral and hinged, as at 61, to the shuttle-frame near its forward end and supported at the opposite end by means of an extensible and contractiblc rod hinged, as at 62, to the heel of the shuttle-frame. The extensible and contractible rod preferably consists of a turnbuckle 63, having a right and left screw-tlneaded engagement with screw-threaded sections 6 1 65, the one, 64, hinged at 62 to the heel of the shuttle-frame and the other, 65, hinged, as at 66, to the laying-in and spreader devices near their inner ends. It is intended that the nose of the follower or laying-in device 59 shall lay the weft snugly in the angle formed by the parts of the warp-sheds, and it is intended that it shall follow as closely to the exterior surface of the weaving-core, be it a pin or a tube being covered, as the case may be, as the free operation of the warp-threads will permit. The spreader is intended to open up the parts of the shed near the point where they last crossed and to produce sufficient strain thereon to cause them to tightly embrace the previously-laid weft-thread while a subsequent weft-thread is being laid into the,

angle between the said parts of the shed. By varying the horizontal plane of the axis of the spreader, as shown in Figs. 20, 21, 22, so that the said axis shall lie in the horizontal plane where the weaving is taking place or above or below the said horizontal plane, I am enabled to exert equal strain upon both parts of the shed or a greater strain on the upper than on the lower, or vice versa, as may be found desirable, thereby making the fabric of the same hardness on its outer and inner face or looser on its outer or inner face than on the other face, at pleasure. This is an important featureas, for instance, where a covering for hose is required and it is desirable that it shall be woven snugly on the rubber tube or shall have an outer surface of less hardness, so that it will not chafe so readily when dragged along rough surfaces, but will be softer and more yielding, and hence more liable to become out out or worn away. The particular forms of spreader in the figures referred to, Figs. 20, 21, 22, are denoted, respectively, by 60, 60*, and 60 the one shown in Fig. 20 being similar to that shown in Fig. 5 and other figures of the drawings.

Particular attention is called to the projection 59 on the nose of the laying-in device 59 intended to reach well under the lower edge of the Weaving ring or die 37 to lay the weft as closely as may be to the surface of the former.

The shuttle is held in position in its raceway by wheels, as follows: Two trucks 67 68 (see Fig. 5) are each provided with four wheels arranged in pairs, the upper pair 69 and 70 of the truck 67 being arranged to engage the opposite sides of the upper annular guide 43, (see Fig. 2,) and the lower pair of wheels of said truck 67, corresponding in position and size to the pair denoted by 69 and 70, and the inner one, 71, (shown in Fig. 2,) are arranged to engage the opposite sides of the lower annular guide 11. In a similar manner the upper and lower pairs of wheels of the truck 68 are arranged to engage, respectively, the upper and lower annular guides 43 and 41. These two four-wheel trucks serve to hold the shuttle against horizontal displacement with respect to the raceway, while the weight of the shuttle is carried by two wheels 72 73, (see Fig. 5,) resting on the lower track 39, one forward of the center of the shuttle and the other back of the center. To further prevent the displacement of the shuttle in an upward direction due to the tendency of its 'forward end to lift, particularly where the strain on the lower part of the shed of warps is greater than the strain upon the upper part of the shed, I provide a wheel 74, located forward of the center of the shuttle and in position to engage the lower face ofthe upper track 10 of the raceway.

This structure of raceway and shuttles requires only a single upper and lower track and materially reduces the friction between the shuttle and the parts with which it contacts and also simplifies the structure of the supporting-frame, leaving the space along the center of the supporting-frame free for the passage of the yarn, thread, or cordfrom the warp-supply free and not liable to become entangled. v

The bobbin carried by the shuttle is denoted by 75. It i provided at one end with a peg 76, projecting therefrom (see Fig. 12) and adapted to register in some one of the holes 77 in the end of thebrake-whcel 78, (see Fig. 10,) the said holes being sufficient in number so that it will not require a very considerable rotary movement of the bobbin before its peg 76 reaches and enters some one of the holes 77 on the brake-wheel. I lind it convenient in practice to provide the end brake-wheel with four of these holes 77, although the number might be increased or diminished at pleasure. The holes 77 are of course located at the same distance from the central axis as the pin 76 in order that it may find its way into that one which it first reaches after the bobbin has been placed in position.

The automatic means for maintaining the tension upon the bobbin uniform throughout the unwinding of the bobbin is shown in detail in Figs. 10to 15, inclusive, and is shown in relation to the other adjacent parts of the shuttle in. Fig. 5. It is as follows: A brake-shoe 79 is carried on the end of an arm 80 and is adapted to rest directly on the thread on the bobbin 75. The arm 80 is secured to a rockshaft 81, (see Fig. 14,) and the latter is mounted in the end of a rock bar or shaft 82. (See Figs. 5 and 13.) The rock-shaft 81 is permitted a limited rocking movement relative to the shaft 82 by means of a curved slot 83, formed in a clip or collar fixed to the bar 82, and the aforesaid arm 80, carrying the brakeshoe, together with its shaft 81, is fixed in its rocking position relative to the bar 82 by means of a set-screw 84:, extending through the slot 83 into the arm 80. The bar 82 when the arm 80 and its rock-shaft 81 are locked thereto in the desired adjustment is rocked as the thread is taken from the bobbin and its diameter reduced by the spring actuated brake-strap 85, (see Fig. 10,) surrounding the brake-wheel 78 and having one end fast to an arm 86 on the bar 82 and its opposite end connected with a slide 87 on a rod 88, pivoted in a bracket 89, attached to the frame of the shuttle. A coil-spring 90 on the rod 88 exerts its tension to push the slide 87 toward the bracket 89, and hence draw the strap tightly in engagement with the brake-wheel 78, while an adjusting-nut 91 and a set or thumb nut 92 serve to increase or diminish tension of the spring 90 against the slide 87, according as it is desired to increase or diminish the tension on the bobbin. Furthermore, the attachment of the brake-strap to the arm 86 is in such position with respect to the rocking movement of the bar 82 that as the bar 82 is rocked by the pull of the strap 85 to keep the brake-shoe 80 in contact with the exterior of the bobbin it will not slacken the strap 85, or rather it will increase the extent of frictional contact between the strap 85 and the surface of the brake-wheel as the arm 86 moves in a direction to tend to slacken the strap 85, so that the increase of frictional contact will exactly correspond to any slight slackening in tension that may take place as the cop gradually dccreascsin diameter, thereby keeping the retarding elfect constant from the time the bobbin begins to unwind and decreases in diameter up to the time it is unwound, and the degree of tension which shall be exerted upon the bobbin during this period may be accurately determined by increasing or diminishing the pushing eli'ect of the spring on the slide 87, as hereinabove stated. In addition to the retarding cl'l ect exerted upon the bobbin itself the thread leading from the bobbin is further retarded or has tension applied thereto by means of a tension-wheel 93, mounted in the shuttle-frame near the heel of the shuttle, (see Fig. 5,) around which the weft-thread 94, leading from the bobbin, is given one or more turns before it passes to the nose of the follower or laying-in device 59. Before reaching the tension-wheel 93 the weft-thread passes from the surface of the bobbin to a guide 95, thence to a guide 96, thence to a guide 97, and thence to the tension-wheel 93. The tension-wheel 93 is provided with a brake-strap 98, having a yielding spring-bearing 99 at one end, as is usual, and at the opposite end provided with the adjusting and set nuts 100 101 to determine the degree of retarding effect to be exerted upon the tension-wheel 93 and through it upon the weft-thread 9% as it is led to its work.

The manner of supporting the tensionwheel 93 on the rear truck 68 of the shuttle, as well as the manner of lubricating the upper and lower wheels of the truck on one side of the track by access to the upper wheel alone, is shown clearly in detail in Fig. 9, in which a section is taken through the upper and lower wheels of the rear truck on the inner side of the track and also through the tension-wl'ieel 93. It will be observed that the upper spindle 102, on which the upper wheel rotates, is provided with a pipe 103, extending through it and leading from it down to the spindle 104c of the lower guide-wheel. The latter is provided with a bore 105, tapped therein from its upper end down to a point where a duct 106, leading laterally therefrom to the surface of the spindle, will feed oil be tween the spindle 104 and the hub of the lower guide-wheel. The upper spindle 102 is provided with a space 10'? around the top of the pipe 103, which space 107 connects, by means of a duct 108, with the exterior of the spindle 102 to feed oil between the spindle and the hub of the upper gnide-wheel. The tensionwheel 93 has a central depression 109 in the top of its hub, which forms an oil-cup to distribute oil between its spindle and the interior of its hub. The spindle 110 of the tension-wheel 93 is fixed in a bracket 111, forming a part of the rear truck of the shuttle.

The shuttles and their raceway are so arranged with respect to the point where the weaving is to take place around the core 35 or a pipe or tube to be covered that the fol- IIO lower or laying-in device will follow closely around the core or former as the shuttle moves continuously along itsraceway, the shuttles being continuously driven by means of the four pinions, someone of which is at all times in engagement with the rack-bar at the back of each shuttle. In my present loom I have chosen to represent two shuttles located on opposite sides of the point of the weaving.

Having up to this point described the construction of the shuttles, the manner in which they are moved along their raceway, and the location and structure of the core or former, I will next proceed to describe the structure and operation of the heddles for forming successive sheds of warp in advance of the shuttles as they movealong their circular path.

The loom which I have chosen to illustrate my invention is arranged for forming twelve sheds of warp, the heddles for each shed being operated consecutively, and in the present instance, where two shuttles are employed, the said heddles are arranged to be operated twice for each complete circuit of a shuttle, so that there will be a new shed formed for the succeeding shuttle after one shuttle has laid its weft in a shed previously formed. The number of times each set of heddles shall be 010- erated for each complete circuit of the shuttle is, however, a matter which may be determined by the operator by changing the structure of the heddle-operating cam-wheel. As the several sets of heddles for making the twelve consecutive sheds of warp are quite similar in their structure and arrangement, I have had enlarged illustrations made of one of these sets of heddles and will describe it in detail with the understanding that this same description applies to each of the others.

Brackets 112 are secured one to each of the twelve posts 5 and project outwardly from the said posts, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. In my present structure I have shown these brackets secured to the posts by means of setscrews 113. Each bracket has fixed therein an inner and outer guide-rod, (denoted, respectively, by 114 115.) These guide-rods are located exterior to the posts 5 and project above and below the bracket-forming guides, along which the heddle-bars slide vertically. The set of heddles for one part of the shed is denoted by 116, and the set of heddles for the other part of the said shed is denoted by 117. Each of these sets of heddles is provided with an upper and lower heddle-bar, the upper and lower bars of the set 116 being denoted by 118 and 119 and the upper and lower bars of the set 117 being denoted by 120 and 121. The bars 118, 119, 120, and 121 each have halfsockets 122 or, preferably, sockets a little less than a semicircumference in extent at their opposite ends for engaging the adjacent faces of the guide-rod on two consecutive brackets, each of the guide-rods serving as a support for one end of each of two consecutive sets of heddle-bars, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The members of each pair of heddles are simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions by means of a cam-wheel 16, hereinbefore referred to, carried by the sleeve 14. The rim of the cam-wheel 16 engages a groove 123 in a vertically-sliding piece 124, mounted in a slideway 125, formed in a bracket 126, secured to the base 1. (See Fig. 7.) The slidepiece 124 carries a vertically-vibrating lever 127, attached at one end, by means of a link 128, to the bracket 126 and at its opposite end attached, by means of a link 129, to the arm 130 of a second vibrating lever pivoted to the bracket 126 at 131 and having its opposite arm 132 connected by a link 133 with the lower bar 121 of the outer set of heddles. The opposite arm 130 of the said lever is connected by a link 134 with the lower bar 119 of the inner set of heddles. As the slide 124 is forced downward by the rotary motion of the cam-whee] 16 it will depress the outer end of the lever 127, drawing down the inner set of heddles attached to the bar 119 and at the same time raising the set of heddles attached to the bar 121, and when the slide 124 is raised it will in turn rock the vibrating levers in the direction to lower the outer set of heddles and raise the inner set.

Between each two consecutive brackets 112 there is mounted a warp-roll 135. This warproll I preferably cover with sandpaper in order to insure its grip upon the yarn or cord and provide it with a brakewheel 136, to which tension is applied by means of a strap 137, connected at one end to a plunger 138, having a sliding engagement in a perforated ear 139, fixed to the bracket 112, and its opposite end connected by a link or extensionpiece 140 with an arm 141 on a short vertical rock-shaft 142. The plunger 138 has a spring 143 interposed between the car 139 and a nut 144, the tension of which tends to hold the strap 137 in close contact with the brakewheel 136. The arm 141, to which the opposite end of the brake-strap is connected, will when swung inwardly tend to loosen the brake and when drawn outwardly tighten the brake. The rocking of the shaft 142, together with the arm 141, will therefore serve to relieve the warp-roll 135 or hold it under tension, as may be desired.

For the purpose of simultaneously releasing the tension on the warp throughout the entire series of warp-sheds I have provided each one of the rock-shafts 142 with operating-arms 145 and have connected each pair of consecutive arms 145 by means of a link 146, so that when one of these arms is operated the others will be. For this purpose of simultaneously operating the several arms 145 I have attached an operating-handle 147 to one of the arms (see Fig. 2) and have at the same time provided this particular arm 145 with an inward extension 148, through which a set-screw 149 extends to lock the arm 1 15, and hence each of the arms connected with it by the links 146, in the desired adjustment. At the same time I have provided for loosening one of the warp-rolls without disturbing the others for the purpose of introducing a new bobbin in the shuttle, as follows: The plunger 138 in connection with the warp roll having its brake-strap under the immediate control of the handle 1&7 is provided with a tail-cam 150, pivoted to it below the car 139 and in such position that when the tail-cam is swung upwardly and outwardly its nose will press against the under side of the ear 139, and thereby force the plunger toward the brakewheel against the tension of its actuatingspring, and so relieve the brake-wheel from the tension of the brake-strap, permitting that particular roll 135 to rotate freely without disturbing the tension of the warp on the remaining rolls. This feature of relieving one of the warp-rolls without disturbing the others is quite an important one as a means of saving time and labor, as it is necessary in all instances to adjust the warps under the proper tension after a new bobbin has been inserted before beginning the weaving, and where there is but one shed to be manipulated instead of a dozen sheds, more or less, there is a very great saving of time and labor.

Coacting with the warp-roll 135 is a coml bar 151, set parallel with the axis of the roll for receiving between its teeth the warpthreads as they lead from the warp-supply to the roll 135. There is also a stop-bar 152 located parallel with above and slightly inwardly from the center of the roll 135, against which the warp tension-springs rest when in theirnormal position or position free from strain. The warp tension-springs are denoted by 153 and consist of wires removably set in a bar 15% at suitable intervals to receive the warp-threads, the said wires being turned in the form of a coil 155 at their bases and projecting thence in curved form to points above the top of the roll 135, where they are provided with eyes 156 for receiving the warpthreads. The tension-springs 153 are removably secured in the bars 151 conveniently by means of set-screws 157, which engage in the bar 154: and rest with their free ends against the portions of the springs inserted in the bar. This admits of removing any one or more of the springs 153 as they become weakened or for any other purpose require renewal. The bar 15 i is itself adjustable in a rocking direction by means of a jam-nut 158, engaged with its end and with the face of its hearing, so that the springs 153 may be thrown against the stop-rod 152 with more or less pressure in order to increase their tension on the warpthread engaged therewith. The position of the tension-springs 153 is such that they are limited in their inward movement under the strain of the warp by engagement with the portion 159 of the bracket which sustains the bar 15 as clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The warp-thread (denoted by 160) extends from the supply (not shown) to the comb-bar 151 and, passingover the same, extends thence to the rod 152, around which it passes, and thence back to and around the roller 135, thence through the eye 156 in the tensionspring, and thence over a comb-bar 161, and thence to that particular set of heddles, either the outer or inner, according as it is to form one or the other part of the shed, each alternate thread ordinarily passing through the heddles of one set, either the inner or the outer, and the remaining alternate threads passing through the heddles of the other set. After passing through the heddle the thread passes either over the guide-bars 51 55 of the shuttle or under the guide-bars 52 56 of the shuttle and. thence to the point of weaving. The complete protection of the warp from interfering with the operating parts of the sh uttle is clearly shown in Fig. 7, and this perfect protection enables the shuttles to be run at a high rate of speed without danger of interfering with the perfect distribution of the warp.

The take-off mechanism which 1 have shown in connection with the assembled machine (illustrated in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive) is adapted for use in connection with the weaving of curved tubular fabrics and consists of a pair of tapered rolls set at an inclined angle to the vertical axis of the machine and in position to receive the fabric as it leaves the former 36. These tapered rolls (denoted by 162 163, clearly shown in top plan, Fig. 3) are mounted in sliding bearings, so that the larger ends of the rolls may be adjusted toward and away from each other and the smaller ends of the rolls adjusted toward and away from each other, as may be desired, and these adjustments may be made independently of one another. The sliding bearings for the take-off roller 162 are denoted by 16 1 165, and the sliding bearings for the roller 163 are denoted by 166 167. The bearings for the larger ends of the rollers are mounted in boxes 168 169, (see Fig. 8,) and the bearings for the smaller ends of the rollers are mounted in similar boxes, the said sets of boxes being preferably connected by means of yoke-pieces 170 171. The adjustment of the bearing in its box is effected by means of a screw 172-, set in the end box and carrying on its inner face a disk 173, which bears against a spring 17 1, interposed between the side of the bearing and the disk. This insures at all times a yielding pressure against the fabric being taken off by the rollers, so that thereis no danger of unduly mashing it, and the gripping pressure of the roller on the fabric being removed may be made as slight or as great as may be found desirable IIS for the effective take-off of the woven tubing. It is to be understood that each of the boxes has the same means of adjusting the bearings therein as that herein above described with respect to the box 169. The connected boxes carrying the sliding bearings above referred to for supporting the rollers are themselves supported over the central axis of the machine above the point where the weaving takes place by extending the yoke-piece 170 171 to an extent sufficient to bridge the supporting plate or table 8, and these extended ends are provided with horizontallyelongated slots 175 176, which register with verticallyelongated slots 177 178 in standards 179 180, removably secured to the plate or table 8 by means of screws 181 182, passing through their bases into the table. This means of supporting the rollers admits of adjusting them horizontally with respect to the vertical axis of the machine and also provides for their adjustment in a vertical plane or bodily farther away from or nearer to the point where the weaving takes place. The rollers 162 163 are driven by means of shafts having universal joints and capable of being extended and contracted to suit the adjustments and inclinations of the rolls. In the present instance I have shown each of the shafts as consisting of a central telescoping section 18$,(see Fig. 3,) the parts of the telescoping section 183, havingthe well-known feather-and-groove connection to cause them to rotate together, while permitting them to slide longitudinally with respect to one another,and this telescopic section has one of its members connected by universal joint 18%: with the shaft 185 of the roller and its other member connected by a universal joint 186 with the drive-shaft 187. The drive-shaft 187 carries a worm-wheel 188, which is driven by a worm 189 (see Fig. 2) on a vertical shaft 190, mounted near its upper end in a bracket 191, fixed to the top or cap plate 6, and atits lower end in a foot-piece 192, fixed on the standard or pedestal hereinbefo're referred to. j The shaft for driving the roller 163 is quite like the shaft already described for driving the roller 162, and it is similarly provided with a worm-wheel 193 in engagement with the same worm 189 with which the worm-wheel 188 engages, so that the two rollers 162 and 163 are simultaneously driven in opposite directions by the same worm.

The vertical shaft 190 for operating the feed-rolls is driven by means of a gear-wheel 191 on the short shaft 2 1, the said gear-wheel 191 being connected with a pinion 195 on the main drive-shaft 18 through intermediate gear. The shaft 21 is provided on its end opposite that carrying the gear-wheel 194C with a bevel gear-pinion 196, which intermeshes with a bevel gearwheel 197, mounted on the foot-piece 192 and provided on the exterior of its hub with one or more lugs 198, in the l present instance three, (see Fig. 1,) for the purpose of interlocking it with and releasing it from a clutch 199. The clutch 199 has the ordinary feather-and-groove connection with the vertical shaft 190, so that it is caused to rotate with the shaft, while permitting a sliding movement on the shaft, and it is provided at its lower edge with a series of notches 200, located at regular intervals throughout its rim, each notch being capable of receiving therein the lug 198 on the bevel gear-wheel 197. The clutch 199 is operated by means of a vertically-sliding yoke-piece 201, mounted on a rod 202, set in the top of the standard 22, the said yoke being provided with a bifurcated arm 203 for loosely engaging a groove 204 on the hub of theclutch, the said sliding yokepiece 201 being connected by a rod 205 with a hand-lever 206,mounted on the bracket 191. The yoke-piece 201 is held normally in its depressed adjustment with the clutch locked to the wheel 197 by means of its own Weight, or this may be accentuated by a spring 207, inserted on the rod 202 between the lower hearing of the yoke-piece on the rod, and a collar 208, secured to the rod intermediate of the bearings with the yoke-piece thereon.

The shaft 190 for operating the take-off rollers may also be operated by hand by means of a hand-wheel 209, secured to its upper end. hen it is desired to operate it by hand, the handle 206 for releasing the clutch is depressed, throwing the clutch 199 out of engagement with the wheel 197, and then the shaft 190 may be turned by hand to operate the rollers to the extent desired. This provision for operating the take-off rollers by hand is an important one in connection with the manufacture of curved tubular fabrics, particularly in connection with the manufacture of tubular tire-coverings, where it is desirable to leave a considerable extent of unwoven warp-threads at the point where the woven portion of the tire is complete for purposes of fastening securely the two ends of the tire together. This is readily accomplished by stopping the weaving at a point wherethe length has been woven suflicient to form the woven portion of the tire and then by throwing the clutch 199 out of gear, continuing by the operation of the shaft 190 by hand the operation of the takeoff rollers, thereby drawing out without weaving a length of warp-threa 3ls sufficient to form the desirable connections at the adjacent ends Of two tires, and then proceeding again with the weaving, thereby making a continuous coil of curved woven tubular fabrics, which may be subsequently cut into individual tires, with long unwoven warp-threads at the ends of each tire.

The intermediate gear above referred to for connecting the gear 19a on the shaft 24: with the pinion 195 on the main drive-shaft is denoted (see Figs. land 6) by 209* and is car ried by a bracket 210, clamped in rotary adjustment on the projecting end of the drive shaft bearing 21, fixed in the standard 22. This arrangement provides for changing the size of the gear 19st by replacingthc particular gear-wheel here shown with a larger or smaller gear-wheel and rocking the bracket 210 to the proper adjustment to make the said intermediate gear 209* intermesh with the gear-wheel 19% and pinion 195. By means of this simple interchange of gear the rate of movement of the take-off rolls may be increased or diminished with very great precision within prescribed limits, which are amply sufficient to cover the demands of the machine.

'here the weaving of straight tubular fabrics is required, instead of the curved tubular fabrics hereinabove referred to, the take-off rollers may be formed cylindrical, as shown at 211 212, Fig. 16, and the said rollers mounted in their own bridge-piece 213 may be placed across the cap-plate 6, the latter being provided with suitable perforations 21a (see Fig. 3) for fastening the ends of the bridge-piece thereto.

The drive-shafts, with their telescopic sections and universal joints, may be coupled directly to the shafts of the rollers 2'11 212 in a manner quite similar to that shown in connection with the rollers 162 163.

When the bridge-piece 213 is used, the die or ring 215 corresponding to the die or ring 37 hereinabove referred to may be supported in the bottom of a depending tapered hanger 216. This hanger 216 may serve for various sizes of dies or rings 215 by making the lower ends of the rings or dies of the proper sizes, with their upper ends of such dimensions as to seat within the hanger 216. Again, when it is required to exert an unusually positive grip upon the tubular fabric being woven as, for instance, where the weight of a tube being covered is very considerablc-1 find it desirable to provide the take-oil rollers 217 218 (see Figs. 18 and 19) with grooves 219, which grooves on the two rollers face each other, and to provide the bottoms and walls of the grooves with teeth or spurs 220. In this instance, as in the previous one described, the bridgepiece 221 may be secured to the cap-plate 6 by simply removing the bridge-piece i 13 and placing the bridge-piece 221, with. its particular rolls, in place. This feature of interchanging the take-off rolls without changing or disturbing the means for driving the rolls imparts to the machine a universal character of very great importance, as it renders itwell adapted to the widely-varying conditions re quired in weaving tubular fabrics either on light or heavy tubes or wires as well as independently of such tubes or wires.

The operation of each part of the machine has been particularly set forth in connection with the description of the structure. The operation of the machinemay be briefly stated as follows: The threads from the bobbin and l i, i l l from the warp-supply having been properly adjusted in the various tension devices and heddles and carried to the point of weaving and there properly secured, the loom when started will cause the shuttles to follow each other continuously along their raceway, while each of the twelve sheds of warp will be formed by the reciprocating motion of the heddles carrying the parts of the shed opening in time to receive the shuttle and closing after one shuttle has passed and opening again to receive the succeeding shuttle, the movement of the canrwheel serving to produce this successive opening and closing of the sheds at the proper intervals to permit the shuttles to pass through and lay the warpthreads one after another in position. If a curved tubular fabric is to be woven, the talie-olf rollers may be set at the proper taper to produce the desired curvature, and if a straight tubular fabric is to be woven these rollers may be interchanged for those suitable for taking off the straight fabric. Whenever it is desired to insert a new bobbin, it is sufficient to take the tension off one warp-roll only by simply throwing the tail-cam .150 into action, and when weaving curved fabrics it is desirable to leave the warp-threzuls unmoved for a greater or lesser distance. All of the warp-threads may be loosened by operat' ing the lever or handle 1&7 and the feed. continued by hand independently of the weaving mechanism.

hat I claim is 1. The combination with the supportingframe including the central upright tube uprising from the base, weft-delivering mechanism and warp-delivering mechanism including heddles, of a sleeve mounted in rotary adjustment on said central tube, gear lixed to said sleeve for imparting motion to the weftdelivering mechanisn'i, a cam-wheel iixed to rotate with said sleeve for imparting motion to the heddle portion of the warp-delivering mechanism, a drive-shaft and gear connecting the said rotary sleeve with the drive-shaft.

2. The combination with the supportingframe including the central upright tube, weftdelivering mechanism, pinions mounted at intcrvals in the supporting-frame for imparting motion directly to the weft-delh ering mechanism, warp-delivering mechanism including heddles and a drive-shaft, of a sleeve mounted in rotary adjustment on the said central tube, gear carried by said tube in engagement with the several weft-operating pinions, a cam-wheel carried by said sleeve for operating the heddles of the warp-delivering mechanism and gear for connecting the said sleeve with the drive-shaft.

3. in combination, a suitable base, pillars uprising from the base, a supporting plate or table mounted on the pillars, an annular series of heddle mechanisms supported on said plate or table, means for operating the bed- IIO dles, means for directing the warp to the heddles and means for supplying the weft in the proper position with respect to the warp carried by the heddles to produce a woven fabric.

4. In combination, the series of heddle mechanisms, a rocking lever for each heddle mechanism, connecting-rods extending from the opposite arms of said lever to the reciprocating parts of the heddle mechanism, a vertically-reciprocating slide, one for each heddle mechanism, a vibrating lever for transmitting the motion of said slide to the aforesaid rocking lever, a cam-wheel for operating the said slides and hence the heddle mechanisms consecutively, means for operating the cam-wheel and means for directing the warp to the heddle mechanisms and for supplying the weft at the point of weaving.

5. In combination, the heddle mechanisms, vertically-reciprocating slides, one for each heddle mechanism, a lever connection between said slide and the parts of a heddle mechanism, a cam-wheel for consecutively operating the said slides, means for operating the cam-wheel, means for directing the warp to the heddle mechanisms and means for supplying weft at the point of weaving.

6. In a loom for circular weaving, an interior and an exterior series of upright rods,heddle mechanisms having sliding engagements with said rods, one of the said rods forming a common guide for the adjacent edges of the parts of two consecutive heddle mechanisms and means for operating the said mechanisms in succession.

7 In a loom for circular weaving, an annular series of heddle mechanisms, guide-rods interposed between and common to consecutive heddle mechanisms for determining the paths in which the parts of the several mechanisms reciprocate and means for operating the heddle mechanisms.

8. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with asupporting-i'rame comprising a base, a group of pillars uprising from the base, a plate supported by said pillars and a superposed group of pillars or standards uprising from said plate, of a series of brackets fixed to the members of said superposed group of uprising standards or pillars, guide-rods fixed in said brackets, an annular series of heddle mechanisms supported on said guiderods and means for operating the heddles.

9. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with the vertically reciprocating parts of a heddle mechanism of a rock-lever, rods connecting the opposite ends of the rocklever with the parts of the heddle mechanism, a vertically-reciprocating slide, a vibrating lever carried by said slide, links connecting one end of the vibrating lever with the aforesaid rock-lever and the opposite end with a fixed support, a cam-wheel for operating the reciprocating slide and hence the vibrating lever, rock-lever and heddle mechanisms and means for operating the cam-wheel.-

10. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with a shuttle, of a single continuous annular track on. which the shuttle is supported, means for operating the shuttle and means for retaining the shuttle on the track.

11. In a loom for circular weaving. the combination with a shuttle, a single, continuous annular track on which the shuttle is supported, a single upper track for holding the shuttle against vertical displacement, means for maintaining the shuttle in position with respect to its tracks and means for operating theshuttle.

12. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with a shuttle, of a single lower and a single upper continuous annular track along which the shuttle is arranged to travel, means for maintaining the shuttle in the proper position with respect to the tracks and means for operating the shuttle.

13. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with a shuttle, of upper and lower continuous annular tracks along which the shuttle is arranged to travel, an annular guide composed of a series of fingers in proximity to the track for holding the shuttle against radial displacement on the track and means for operating the shuttle.

14:. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with upper and lower annular tracks, of annular series of fingers arranged with their bases in proximity to the upper and lower tracks respectively, said series forming guides for the shuttle to hold it against radial displacement and means for operating the shuttle.

15. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with upper and lower annular tracks, and series of fingers arranged at an angle to the tracks, of a shuttle provided with trucks arranged to engage the opposite faces of said annular series of fingers and with wheels arranged to engage the opposite faces of said tracks for holding the shuttle in position and means for operating the shuttle.

16. In a loom for circular weaving, the combination with a shuttle provided with a plurality of longitudinal guards on its upper and IIO lower sides and means for directing the warpwhich the weaving takes place, the shuttle and means for moving the shuttle in a circular path around said former, of a laying-in device carried by the shuttle, said laying-in device having a hinged connection with the shuttle at its forward and rear ends and means for adjusting the nose of the laying-in device toward and away from the former.

19. The combination with the former about which the weaving takes place, the shuttle and means for moving the shuttle in a circular path around the former, of a combined spreader and laying-in device hinged at one end to the shuttle and an extensible and contractible rod connecting its opposite ends with the shuttle.

20. The combination with the former about which the weaving takes place, the shuttle and means for moving the shuttle in a circular path around the former, of a combined layingin device and spreader and means for adjustably connecting the opposite ends of said laying-in device and spreader with the opposite ends of the shuttle.

21. The combination with a former about which the weaving takes place and a ring in proximity to the former below which the weaving takes place, of a shuttle, means for moving the shuttle in a circular path around the former, a laying-in device provided with a projection on the lower part of its nose and means for adjusting the laying-in device with respect to the former and a ring so that the said projection shall pass under the bottom edge of the ring during the process of weaving.

22. The combination with a former about which the weaving takes place, a shuttle and means for moving the shuttle in a circular path about the former, of a combined layingin device and spreader removably secured to the shuttle whereby the combined laying-in device and spreaders may be interchanged at pleasure to change the density of the woven fabric on its inner and outer faces.

23. The combination with the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, and means for adjusting the former laterally with respect to the vertical axis of the machine.

24:. The combination with the fixed tubular standard, at the center of the machine, the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, a former-holder supported by said tubular standard, means for adjusting the former-holder together with the former laterally with respect to the axis of the tubular standard.

25. The combination with the central tubular standard, the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, a thimble resting on and projecting into the said tubular standard, a former about which the weaving takes place, a former-holder resting on said thimble and means for adjusting the formerholder laterally on said thimble.

26. The combination with the former about which the weaving takes place, the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a ring surrounding the former for limiting the horizontal plane of the weaving.

27. The combination with the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, the said former being extended upwardly from the point of weaving in flattened curved form and means for drawing the woven fabric from the former.

28. The combination with the weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, a weaving-ring surrounding the former and supported independently of the former, means for adjusting the former laterally within the ring and means for drawing the fabric from the former.

29. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off rolls for drawing the woven fabric from the former, means for adjusting the take-0E rolls laterally with respect to the vertical axis of the machine and means for operating the take-off rolls.

30. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off roller for drawing the woven fabric from the former, means for adjusting the take-off rolls toward and away from the point of weaving and means for operating the rolls.

31. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, means for adjusting the take-off rolls laterally with respect to the vertical axis of the machine and toward and away from the former and means for operating the take-off rolls.

32. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off rolls set at an inclination to the vertical axis of the machine and means for operating the rolls.

33. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of aform er about which the weaving takes place, tapered take-off rolls for drawing the fabric from the former and means for operating the rolls.

34. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, tapered take-01f rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, means for supporting the tapered take-off rolls in a diagonal position with respect to the vertical axis of the machine and means for operating the rolls.

35. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, tapered take-off rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, means for adjusting the said rolls in different tilted adjustments with respect to the vertical axis of the machine and means for operating the rolls.

86. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, extensible and contractible shafts connected with the take-ofi rolls and means for operating the said shafts and hence the rolls.

37. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-off rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, expansible and contractible shafts for operating the rolls and means for operating the shafts, the said shafts having a removable connection with the rolls whereby different sets of take-ofi' rolls may be attached to the single set of shafts.

38. The combination with weft and warp mechanisms and means for operating them, of a former about which the weaving takes place, take-ofi rolls for drawing the fabric from the former, means for supporting the take-off rolls intermediate of the point of weaving and the top of the supporting-frame, means for supporting take-off rolls at the top of the supporting-frame, shafts arranged to connect.

with the take-off rolls whether supported below or at the top of the frame and means for operating said shafts.

39. The combination with the take-off rolls and their shafts, of worm-Wheel shafts flexibly connected with the roll-shafts and provided with worm-wheels, a worm-shaft provided with a worm common to the said wormwheels, the main drive-shaft, gear connecting the main drive-shaft with said worm-shaft and means for throwing said gear into and out of position to operate the worm-shaft.

4,0. The combination with the take-off rolls and their shafts, of worm-shafts having flexible connections with the roll-shafts and provided with worm-wheels, a worm-shaft provided with a worm for simultaneously operating the said worm-wheel shafts, the said worm-shaft being provided with a hand-wheel for operating it and hence simultaneously operating the take-off rolls by hand, the main drive-shaft, gear connecting the main driveshaft with the worm-shaft and means for throwing the said gear into and out of position to operate said worm-shaft.

41. The combination with the worm-wheel shaft for operating the take-off rolls and a gear for operating the said Worm-wheel shaft, the

said gear-wheel being provided with one or more teeth at infrequent intervals on its hub, of a clutchengaged with the worm-wheel and having a sliding engagement into and out of locking position with respect to the hub of the drive-gear, the said clutch being provided with notches at frequent intervals adapted to receive one or more teeth on the hub to lock the worm-wheel shaft to the drive gear-wheel.

4:2. The combination with the sliding clutch and the gear-wheel with which the clutch engages, the one being provided With teeth at infrequent intervals and the other with notches at frequent intervals to receive the teeth, of a worm-wheel shaft engaged with the clutch, a driving-pinion engaged with the gear-wheel and take-off rolls under the control of the worm-wheel shaft to be operated.

43. The combination with the worm-wheel shaft for operating the take-off rolls, the main drive-shaft and an auxiliary drive-shaft intermediate the main shaft and the worm-wheel shaft, of a gear-support mounted in rocking adjustment about the axis of the main driveshaft and gear removably engaged with said support for transmitting motion from the main drive-shaft to the auxiliary drive-shaft whereby connecting-gears of various diameters may be utilized for transmitting the motion to vary the speed of the take-ofi' mechanism.

44:. The combination with the worm-shaft for operating the take-01f rolls,the said wormwheel shaft being provided with a hand-wheel for operating it, the main drive-shaft, and gear intermediate the main drive-shaftand worm-wheel shaft of a clutch having a sliding engagement with the worm-wheel shaft for locking it to and releasingit from the said intermediate gear, a clutch-operating yoke, a clutch-releasing lever and a rod connecting the clutch releasing lever with the yoke whereby the operator may conveniently hold the clutch-releasing lever while operating the worm-wheel shaft.

4C5. The combination with several warprolls each provided with a brake-wheel and means for directing the warp around the rolls, of brake-straps one for each brake-wheel, means for holding the straps under tension to retard the motion of the warp-rolls and means for simultaneously reducing the tension of the straps on the several brake-wheels.

4:6. The combination with several warprolls, each provided with a brake-wheel and means for directing the warp around the rolls, of means for placing the several straps under tension to retard the rotary movements of the warp-rolls, means for simultaneously putting tension on and taking the tension off the several warp-rolls, and means for putting tension on and taking it off one of the rolls.

M. The combination with an annular series of warp-rolls, each provided with a brakewheel and brake, of brake-operating levers, 

